The Cold Turnkey

LOS ANGELES - Watching television commercials from the 50s and
60s brings back wonderful memories for baby boomers, and their
kids are amazed by how primitive TV once was.

The DVD documentary “Madison Avenue Fever”(60 minutes) is an
entertaining and informative look at the history of television
commercials. It covers the period known as the “golden age of
television.”

Hosted by R.J. Thomas, “Madison Avenue Fever” features clips of
some of the funniest, corniest, entertaining, memorable, and
influential commercials ever made. This fun program is available
on DVD and is a lot more than just entertainment. Thomas teaches
how television caused panic from radio stations as advertisers
fled from radio and turned to television.

Consumers were buying TVs by the millions, and advertisers were
anxious to capture their share of the growing audience.
Television advertising had a major influence on the baby boomer
generation, and the nation was transformed as a result.

Tobacco companies were some of the most prominent advertisers on
television, and all the top stars and sports celebrities of the
time were seen lighting up their favorite brands.

“‘The Flintstones’ began as an adult show on prime time
television. Of course the Flintstones eventually switched to
vitamins, but in 1962 Fred and Barney were shown puffing on
Winstons,” explained Thomas.

Stars like Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Dick Van Dyke, and sports
heroes like the Red Sox legend Ted Williams are all seen
promoting their favorite brands in “Madison Avenue Fever.”

Thomas takes viewers on an entertaining and historic journey
through the early years of television advertising. He shows how
advertisers tempted viewers with everything from cigarettes,
sporty cars for men, miracle appliances for women, and all the
latest toys for the kids.

What baby boomer can forget the Ajax knight on horseback, the
happy kid who learns he has no cavities after brushing with
Crest, and so many other commercials that have become a part of
American heritage and imbedded in our memories?

The clips feature many stars of the time, including Howdy Doody,
Phil Silvers, Ozzie Nelson, Don Knotts as Barney Fife, Groucho
Marx and his brothers Chico and Harpo, the Monkees, Clayton
Moore as the Lone Ranger, and even Bugs Bunny and the
Flintstones.

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About R.J. Thomas R.J. Thomas is a California-based filmmaker
and author. His films include Man the Guns, The Saturday
Afternoon Serial, Western Flickers, and The Good News. His books
include The Great Transatlantic Race, The Fate of Generations,
The First Target, Not for Evil, Along the Coconut Coast, Gain by
Violence, Treasures on Earth, and the Top Secret UFO Project. He
has worked for Freedom Productions as an actor, appearing in
Paradise and Of a Common Bond. He is also the creator of the
books-on-tape I Write a Mystery.

Contact: R.J. Thomas 310-288-6605 rjt1976@yahoo.com

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As you may or may not be aware, Elephants were the tanks of the
ancient world. Wild Elephants were stalked by hunters, who
incapacitated the gentle giants by hacking large chucks of flesh
away from their legs (I know its gruesome but stay with me, it
gets worse).

Once captured, they were no use to the military due to their
injuries and were instead used as breeding animals, lame studs
if you will. Any offspring produced in this way were tamed and
sold on to armies to become a fearsome spectacle used to
frighten/destroy marauding tribes or other ‘bad’ guys.

Every major army of the day used elephants, a seemingly
unstoppable weapon. That was until one day, some insightful
Romans noticed that Elephants were easily spooked by the sound
of a squealing pig. Those clever Romans discovered they could
turn this to their advantage by sending squealing pigs running
towards their enemy’s Elephants. However, pigs do no squeal on
demand, so the simply answer was to set the little porky’s on
fire (told you it got worse) and let them loose on the
battlefield!

Living the Good Life by James Bogaty owner Veramar Vineyard

Virginia’s Wine Country Golden Triangle

The Virginia Golden Triangle Wine Tour
Want to spend an afternoon in Virginia’s wine country and select from three of the unique Virginia wine regions during that single afternoon trip? Here is one trip tour that will give you variety in wine, scenery and vista’s.

Taste at Virginia’s most prestigious wine. Learn about Virginia wine with experts

Enter the world of Virginia wine as an insider.
Travel the northern Virginia wine tour to the Virginia wine business via the Virginia Wine Golden Triangle.
Using our first-hand knowledge and extensive contacts, we’ll give you an exclusive insider’s view and entrée that other tour cannot offer. Reston Limo offers a limo tour to these wineries.

Privileged access to the best Virginia Vineyards.
From the prestigious classified growths to exclusive “boutique” producers, you will receive a warm welcome and a personalized tour and tasting. Each visit is unique and fascinating, as you meet the passionate men and women who make some of the greatest Virginia wines.

THE Virginia Golden Triangle Wine Tour- quality wines from here just disappear, it would be easy to pass over this wine region, suspecting that it’s just a bit of plank fun. And that would be a grave mistake as this is a cracker jack Virginia golden triangle region for some of the best Virginia wineries. Lip smacking, rich and intensely full flavored, it’s a fruit driven style supported by subtle American and French oak. An excellent food friendly wines that are already drinking well. International award winning wines.

We offer tours in Shenandoah and Loundoun Valley as well as Blue Ridge Wineway. Our tours focus on high-end boutique wineries. Our tours are known for being off the beaten path, insightful, and memorable. Here is the ONE tour route that brings you all three regions in one afternoon tour - The Virginia Golden Triangle Wine Tour.

“We are more than a tour route location, we are wine geeks” boasts Jim Bogaty, Founder, Veramar Vineyard

Both first time visitors and regular wine country patrons have delighted in our tours. Some have even gone so far as to say, “This tour far exceeded my expectations. It was like having a private wine class in the wine country. Not only was the wine we tasted beyond words, the scenery on this trip was so extraordinary that it rivaled our experiences in Tuscany.”

We want to create for you a unique and lasting experience. For this reason we plan with you, your dream wine tour.

The Virginia Golden Triangle Wine Tour is closer then you think.

Begin at noon at Veramar Vineyard with a box lunch from Celebrations, Inc.

Veramar Vineyard & Event Center
Veramar Vineyard is situated on a private, 100-acre estate in the heart of Virginia Hunt County at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Shenandoah River. We are a small, family-run winery dedicated to producing naturally dry, full-bodied wines. Around Veramar Vineyard are a great number of bed-and breakfasts, championship golf courses and antique shops as well as some of the finest restaurants in Virginia. So, if you are in the mood for romance, or to enjoy fine wines, or simply want a picnic outing in the country, hike the Blue Ridge Mountain trails, come and be our guest as you experience Veramar Vineyard.Wines: Cabernet Franc, Rooster Red, Norton, Chardonnay, Tres Blanc, Seyval Blanc & D’Ora.Hours: Year round. 11:30a.m.-5p.m. Thursday- MondayTasting Fees: None– FREEFood: Light fare, i.e. cheese & crackers (Catering available for groups of 50 guests or more).
Breaux Vineyards
You’re invited to come and enjoy the internationally acclaimed wines of Breaux Vineyards. Our “Napa meets Mediterranean” style tasting room offers views of the beautiful Blue Ridge and Short Hill Mountains. Enjoy light gourmet fare, or bring your own picnic to savor on our umbrella covered tables at Patio Madeleine. Our winery and grounds, part of a magnificent 400-acre estate, are surrounded by 43 acres of vineyards including the original 16-year-old vines.Wines: Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier.Hours: 11a.m.-5p.m. daily. Closed major holidays.Tours & tasting: May-Oct. daily, 11a.m.-6p.m.; Nov.-April: daily, 11a.m.-5p.m. Closed major holidays. Groups please call ahead.Tasting Fees: $3/person. Reservations required for group of 8 or more - $5/person.Food: Light fare, i.e. cheese & crackers.
Piedmont Vineyards
Virginia’s first commercial vinifera vineyard, located on the pre-revolutionary farm of Waverly in the heart of Virginia’s Hunt Country. Picnic area, private parties, wedding and reception facilities.Wines: Hunt Country Chardonney, Special Reserve and Native Yeast Chardonnays, Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon.Hours: Apr.-Oct., daily, 11a.m.-6p.m.; Nov..-Mar., daily, 11a.m.-5p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 24, 25, 31 & New Year’s.Tasting Fees: $3/person, refunded with wine purchase.Food: Light fare, i.e. cheese & crackers.Directions: From Middleburg: 3 miles south on Rt. 626. From Washington DC: I-66 to exit 31 at The Plains. Right at exit, right on Rt. 55. Immediate left on Rt. 626. Go 5 miles, winery on left.Gerhard von Finck, owner.P.O. Box 286,Middleburg, VA 20118.Phone: 540-687-5528.Website: www.piedmontwines.com.E-mail: info@piedmontwines.com

So come, visit wineries in the Virginia Wine County (VWX) and sample our wines, each a taste of seasons past: The snows of winter, April showers, summer sunshine and crisp fall nights. It’s all there in the bottle, waiting for…YOU.

Call Della at Veramar Vineyard 540-955-5510 to set up your tour.